We’re ensuring every child can access free music tuition — scottish national party

The Scottish Government has announced a £9.5 million grant for the Youth Music Initiative. The Youth Music Initiative (YMI) aims to create access to high-quality music-making opportunities

for children and young people, particularly for those who would not normally have the chance to participate, enable them to achieve their potential in or through music-making – and also

support the development of the youth music sector across Scotland. In practice, the programmes range from after-school, instrument-based bands and groups to technical courses in sound

production. Music plays a vitally important role in young people’s lives and, beyond developing their wider skills and learning, we know that these kinds of activities also have a huge and

positive impact on their confidence and wellbeing. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that every school pupil in Scotland can access a year of free music tuition by the time

they leave primary school through the YMI – no matter their background – which is why I was delighted to announce £9.5 million of funding for the scheme. > 🎸 Music plays a vitally 

important role in young people’s lives, > and beyond developing their wider skills and learning, improving > confidence and wellbeing. >  > 📢 We're committed to providing 

free music tuition for all primary > school pupils, regardless of their background. > pic.twitter.com/GnTilikfQ6 >  > — The SNP (@theSNP) May 24, 2023 More than 362,000 children

and young people took part in YMI-funded projects under the 2021-22 programme, the majority of those in high-deprivation areas. The funding also supported 1,182 music education posts across

all of Scotland’s 32 local authorities. As all those who learned music in their youth – of which I am one – can attest, the skills and musical appreciation we develop stay with us for life.

It is great to know many more young people will enrich their lives in this way.